Panic attacks

[Rach C.]

I had gallbladder surgery in May of 2000.  About a week later, I experienced extreme crushing, heaviness pain in my chest.  I could not breath because the pain was so severe.  I went to the E.R. where EKG's were made along with blood tests.  Nothing was found.  I was told it could be a result of the gasses used in the recent surgery that is put into the abdominal cavity.  Three months later I experienced the same attack.  I went back to my gastro doctor and everything checked out ok.  For the last two months I have experienced these attacks several times a week.  They are so severe I moan in pain which scares my children.  I was sent to a cardiologist where more ekg's were run and everything checked out ok.  My gastro doctor has put me on alprazolam .25 mg 3 times daily.  He believes I may be having panic attacks.  I also have had a constant pain in my right mid rib cage area that is located in my back for the last 1 1/2 years.  The doctor thought the gallbladder removal would eliminate this pain but it has not.  These attacks I have described in my chest begin where my ribs start in the center of my abdoman and work up to my chest area.  They feel almost like a muscle cramp that starts out small but greatly increases and spreads throught the chest region.  These attacks can occur at any time, they have even awaken me asleep at 2, 3, or 4 am.  The alprazolam has not decreased the occurance of the attacks but they may be just a little less painful.  Please help me.  Do you believe these are panic attacks?  I'm so tired of going to doctors to find the problem.  I find it strange one can have anxiety or panic while sleeping, and have such horrible pain.  Child birth was not as painful!  I have also had a hystorectomy about 3 years ago.  I use Climara patch .05 mg. for hormone replacement.  Please let me know your opinion on these attacks.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

This does not sound like panic attacks to me. There are doctors who specialize in pain management. I suggest you ask your doctor for a referral to a pain specialist.

[Susan]

Hi
If it were me I'd want a cat scan. They cost about $700 I've heard. You never know about strange pains; I'm the kind of nut who would think a pair of scissors or some surgical instrument were left inside during surgery (lawsuit time)? It's too bad we have to go to different kinds of doctors for mysterious pains and often the doctors wind up scratching their heads in bewilderment themselves. No way I'd go to the same type of dr. twice; I'd go to a different kind of a doc each time.
As far as panic is concerned, I cannot fathom someone "wondering if" he has had a panic attack. People do wonder, though; as if they just don't know the symptoms. I mean, if you're overcome with unfounded fear to the point that you're panting and your chest hurts, that's a panic attack.
susan

[D ave Replogle]

Man that sounds just like my attacks but mine are in the left and right side they said i have costochondritis  inflamamtion of the rib cartlige man what pain i have had ekgs and blood work because i am dizzy all the time but they say its mental i dont buy this **** at all i have had shot and all the meds u can think of but nothing works for me tell me if something works for u please

[Dave Replogle]

have u found anything out yet?

[spook]

Panick attacks come on suddenly and unexpectly then rapidly subside over around an hour,and in their postneogenisis they become associated with certain events.they symptoms can includee tighness of chest with little pain and choking feeling but in absence of anxiety it is Higly unlikely.I would be looking for more physical causes and get off XANAX ASAP.